Mail receiving and delivering apparatus.



No. 893,967. v PATENTED J LY 21,1908. T. AILLATT 6: 1 A. KERWIN. MAIL RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

P TION ILED MAR. B. A PLIGA '1 30 190 3SHBETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED JULY 21, 1908. T. ALLATT & L. A. KER-WIN. MAXI. REGTZIZEYING QNE DELIVERING APPARATUS, APPLIGATIOH FILED MAR. 30, 1908.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2.

No. 893,967. P'ATENTED JULY 21,1908 T. ALLATT & L. A KBRWIN.

MAIL RECEIVING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 0 1 0s.

3 9 SHWETS-SHEBT s.

THOMAS .ALLATTAND LOUIS A. KERWIN, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

MAIL'REOEIVING AND DELIVERING APPAFATUS.

'no'rseapea Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 21, 1908.

Applicationfiled March 30, 1908. Serial No. 424,098.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that we, THOMAS ALLATT and LOUIS A. KERWIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of 'Multnomah and State of Qre on, have invented; certain new and use ul Improvements m Mail Receivin and Delivering Ap-' paratu-s, of which the f0 Owing is a specification,'-referencebeing had therein to the ac,- oom 'a'nying drawing.-

T is invention relates to a delivering apparatusor mechanism, and has for its object cordancewith t e present invention. 4

is a view 1n front elevation of the receiving supporting device de icted in Fig. 2.

beam positioned therein and in section.

the provision of means for facilitating the deliveryof, preferably, a mail bag or receptacle froma moving train to a receiving device carried by a stationary support.

Another object of the invention is the provision of'means for receiving an object from a moving train, and after the object is received, t e same may be c rried a short distance, the momentum be 11g quickly overcome, and the object being held in a staposition.

Wit these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements parts, as will be hereinafter fully descrin and-claimed.

a In the'drawings: Figure *1 is a view in elevation of an a paratus constructed in ac- Flg. 2

device. Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary viewof the structuredepicted in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is'an enlarged view of the bag-engaging and i 5 is a top plan view 0 the bracket carried by the car Fig. 6 is a transverse, sectionalview taken on line 6, 6, Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a view, in elevation, of the ring and hook. Fig. "8 is a top. plan view. of the device depicted in Fig. 4, and Fig. 9 is a horizontal, sectional view thereof, showing the iiye- 3' 10isa transverse, vertical, sectional View of the device depicted in Fi 9. Fig. 11 is an end view of one of the end -sections of the device depicted in Fi 4. Fig. 12 is afragmentary view of one o the brackets carrying the eye-beam and the guide-member for the bellcrank lever, and Fig. 13 is a view, in transverse section, of a portion of the structure depicted in Fig. 12, showing the guide member in end elevation. Fig. 14 is .an end view of the bell-crank lever. Fig. 15. is an enlarged view, looking at the end of the receiving and holding-device.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates, preferably, a car carrying brackets 2 provided with vertically-extending pins 3. The pins 3 extend throu h vertical, apertured ortions of the hinge or pivoted bracket 4. he horizontal bracket is intended to swing around into the car, so that the door may be closed when mail is not being delivered or received. The bracket 4 is provided, at its upper, outer, edge with a ring-supporting body 5. The body 5v is provided with a vertical recess or cut-out portion 6, and with annularly-grooved portions 7 for facilitating the seating of a ring 8 upon the lugs'9. The

lugs 9 are very strong, and are rovided upon their upper face with a bevele portion or socket 10, Fig. 6, so that the ring 8 can be easily seated and normally held upon the brac et, prior to displacement as hereinafter described.

The ring 8 is provided with a pivotallymounted hook 11, which hook isprovided with, prongs 12 that are ada ted to receive a 11:. wag 13, Fig. 1, or any o't or object, to be re .4. off of the bracket 4. The Weight of the bag 13, carried by the prongs or hooks 12, will hold the ring in a seated position, but owing to the curved structure of the holding lugs (which lugs only engage the,

lower portion of the ring 8) the bag andthe ring can be easily lifted or removed ofl. of the bracket by said ring engaging the pivotallymounted hook member .14 of the receivingdevice, as hereinafter described.

The receiving device comprises, preferably, a pair of uprights or standards 15,

whlch are, preferably, connected by a horizontal beam 16 for bracing the same. Brackets 17 are secured upon the same sides of the uprights or standards 15, and in these brackets is rotatably mounted a supportingrod or shaft 18. Arms 19 are mounted upon the rod or shaft 1. 8, contiguous to the bracket 17, and each arm 19 is fixed against independent rotary movement with respect to the rod 18 by any suitable fastening means, as for instance set-screw 20. The arms 19 are provided with rearwardly-extending extensions 21 carrying weights 22, for performing the function of a counterbalance;-

To the outer ends of the arms 19, there is fixedly secured, preferably, an eye-beam or track 23.

S lidably mounted upon eye-beam 23 is a bag-engaging and supporting device, which comprises a frame composed, preferably, of end-sections 24' and a central section 25.

The end-sections and the central-section 24 and 25, respectively, are-fixedly secured to-.

gether by horizontal, upper and lower bars or pieces 26 and 27, which are suitably secured to the sections. A front guide-member 28 is secured within the frame, and a rear guide or 'brakermember 29 is also secured within the frame. The front guide-member 28 is provided, at its end, with right-angu-.

larly-disposed, portions 30 and the brakemember 29 is provided, at its ends, with right-angularly disposed portions 31. The angle-portions 30 and 31. of the members 28 and 29 are positioned in opposite directions and engage opposite'vertical edges of the end-sections 24 of the frame, Fig. 9. Theangularly-disposed ends 30 are provided with elongated openings or apertures 32, Fig. 11, in which is mounted'a slidable setbar 33; the bar 33 may be projected a considerable distance beyond either end of the frame, for the purpose hereinafter specified. Near the center of the bar 33 is secured-a horizontal-extending pin or lug 34,;which slides in an elongated slot 35 formed in avertically-ex'tending; extension 36, which is fixed to shaft 37 carrying the hook-member 14. The hook-member 14 is also fixed'against independent rotary movement upon shaft 37, as well as the extension of arm 36. By projecting the bar '37 in the direction shown by the arm in Fig. 4, the hook-member 14 will be swung to the position shown by dotted lines 38, Fig. 4, for engaging a ring 8, Fig. 1. The hook-member 14 is provided with hooks 14" at its ends, so that a ring may be engaged on a train moving in either direction. When the receiving-device, Figs. 2 and 4, is set, the

- same ismoved to the end of the eye-beam nearest to the on-coming train, and the setbar 33 is projected, as shown in Fig. 2, for

permitting the holding-bracket 39, pivotally and as soon as the device is engaged the mounted upon bracket 40, to engage the setbar 33. The advantage of this peculiar structure is that the bag-receiving device is only held in an operative position when it is set,

' ring and the same starts to slide the eye-beam 23, the set-bar will be automate ically disengaged trom the hook, causing the receiving-device to be automatically strung down away from the moving train; T he device is only set when the bag-engagmg and holding device, Fig. 4, is at one end of the eye-beam, Fig. 3, and, consequently, it will be noted that the device provided with means for instantaneously causnig the rod 18 to be swung and removing the device from near the moving object or train.

To overcome the momentum of the ring 8 and the bag or object carried thereby, wev

have provided a brake upon the bag-supporting and receiving device, which comprises said, brake-bar -or.me1nber 29 and an inwardly-bowed spring 41, Fig. 9, which spring constitutes a yielding or presser mem ber normally exerting inward pressure uponthe bar 29 for causing the same togrip or bear against the body of-the eye-beam 23.

Greater pressure can be exerted upon the brake-member or shoe 29 by threading inward the set-screws 42, as will be obvious upon considering Fig. 9. The spring 41 is provided with a fixed, horizontal extension 43, which extends r'earwardly, and is positioned between the bifurcated portion 44 of, the bell-crank lever 45. A suitable fastening member, as for instance, 46, extends transversely through the extension 43, and through elongated openings or apertures 47 formed in the bifurcated portion of lever 45, Fig. 14, thereby permitting the lever to be swung .upon its pivot 48 carried by an extension 49 formed on the central section 25.

It will be obvious that upon swinging the outer end of lever 45 downward, the brake-member I 29 will be partly or entirely removed. Therefore, 'wehav'e provided means for controlling the pressure upon the eye-beam for partly or entirely removing the brake, ifdesired. It

is desirable to permit the bag-engaging and' supporting divice to move freely when the bag is delivered thereto, through the medium 7 of the ring8, and consequently,'we have provided a guide-bar or member 50, at each end of the eye-beam,Fi gs. 10, 12, and 13, whichis bentnear its end, as at 51, so that the lever will be held downward at an angle to a horizontal plane, when the device is set, Fig. 2,

but as soon as it has traveled a few inches on the eye-beam 23, the upwardly or outwardlyextending central portion of the guide-mem ber 50 will permit the lever to swing upward and thereby gradually allow the brake to be applied to the eye-beam for slowing down or overcoming the momentumor sliding movement of the bag-receiving and supporting means carried by the eye-beam. Consequently, it will be understood that we have provided automatic means for permitting the set-deviceto be slowed down after it receives its load, and, furthermore, load-reeeiving and holding means slidably mounted upon a support, and brake means cooperating with said load-receiving and holding means for gradually retarding and stopping sliding movement which will prevent any impactor sudden jar, and thereby practically elimisense of an engaging or bag-supporting memcarried b to receive a bag-.

'tachably securing the'ring upon the side of,

sense, for any suitable form may be employed other than a ring or circular-shaped member, and, therefore, we use the word ring in the her, as and for the purpose above described.

' In Fig. 15, I have shown an enlarged View of the holding and receiving device, in which a notch 33 is formed at each end of bar 33., The object of the notch is to bring the face of set-bar 33, that comes in contact with the end of holding bracket or arm 39 square with the line of resistance. The overhanging-piece 39 will rest on the top edge of said bar 33, and thus it, will drop into position, instead of having to be set carefully by hand.

What we claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a bracket 3 carried by said support, said bracket provided with supporting-lugsat one side and with a cut-out portion contiguous to said lugs, said lugs and cut-out portions adapted toreceive bag supporting means, and means for removing said object-supporting means from said lugs.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a bracket said support, said bracket provided wit a body portion, said body portion provided with a vertical cut-out portion, and with lugs at opposite. sides of said cut-out portion, said lugs rovided with faces adapted liolding member, said bagholding member provided with means for engaginga bag, saio engaging means positioned in the cut-out portion of said bracket, and means for removing said bag-holding memher from said bracket.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a bracket carried by said sup ort, said bracket provided. at one side w1tli bag-supporting means and with a cut-out portion, said bag-holding means comprising a body and bag-engaging means, said engaging means positioned in the cut-out portions of said bracket, and means for removing said bag-holding means from said bracket. I

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a bracket, of a ringengaging one side of said bracket, means desaid bracket, said bracket provided with a cut-out portion, said ring provided with a hook positioned in said cut-out portion, and means for moving said ring bodily away from one side of said bracket.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a sup ort, of a movably-mounted track carried y said sup ort,v bag-receiving and holding means sh ably mounted upon said track, and a brake earried by said bag-receiving means and adapted to engage the track for limiting movement of said receiving means.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a 1novablyunounted track carried by said su port, a bag receiving device slidably mounte upon said track, said bag-receiving device pro vided with a set-bar and with a hook-member, means connecting said hook-member and said set-bar, whereby when said set-bar projects beyond one end of said bag-receivin device, said hook-member will be positions for receiving a load, and means for engaging said set-bar for holding the device in a set osition until the load is deliveredto said agreceiving device.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a rod pivotally mounted upon said support, arms fixedly secured ito said rod, an eye-beam fixedly secured to said arms, and bag receiving means slidably mounted upon said eye-beam and provided with means engaging said eyebeam for retarding and stopping movement of said bag-receiving means thereon. y 8. In an apparatus of the class described,

'the combination with a support, of arms pivotally mounted upon said support, said arms provided with extensions, weights slidably mounted u on said extensions, a track secured to said arms, and bag-receiving means carried by said track and provided' with a brake for normally retarding sliding movement thereof upon the track.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a track, of bag-receiving means slidably-mo'unted upon said track, said bag-receiving means provided with a brake engaging said track, and means for preventing said brake from retarding the movement of said bag-receiving means at the time an object or bag is delivered thereto.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a track pivotally mounted uppn said support, means or holding said trac in a set position, and bag-receiving means engaging said holding means when 1n a set position and capable of being automatically disengaged from said holding-means when a bag or. load is delivered thereto.

"11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a su port, of arms pivotally mounted upon sair support, a track secured, at itsends, to said arms, and means traveling upon said track for receiving a load from a moving object.

' a 12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a su port, of arms pivotally mounted upon sai support, ,a track secured at its ends-to said arms, and means for receiving a load from a'movin object, said receiving-means provided wit means traveling upon said track between the arms for limiting and entirely stopping the travel I of said receiving means upon said track.

, 13. 'In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, a track carried by said support, of a bag-receiving device carried by said track, said bag-receiving device comprising a frame, .a hook-nien1ber plvotally mounted upon said frame, brakemeans carried by said frame, and means for adjusting said brake-means upon said frame.

14. In an a paratus of the class described, the combination with a track, of a bagreceiving device slidably mounted upon said track, said bag-receiving device provided with a brake, furnished with means for vary- 'mg the pressure of the brake upon the track during movement of the bag-receiving device.

In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination With a track, of a movable bag-receiving device carried by said track, said bag-receiving device 'rovided with a shaft, bag-receiving means edly secured to said shaft, an extension fixedly secured to I said shaft, a set-bar carried by said frame and 'prov1ded With means engaging said exten sion, whereby when said set-bar is projected beyond one end of the frame, said bag-receiving-means will be set for receiving a load. 16. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a track, of a slidable bag-receiving device carried by said track,

- ceiving a, load.

17. In an apparatus oft he class described,

thevcombination with a track, of a bag-receiving device slidably mounted upon "SLICI track, said device rovided with a brake en- -'gaging said track, ever means connected to said brake, and means cooperating with said lever means for'pla cing the brake in an inlivery of the lo operative position, when the device is set for receiving aload and adapted to permit the brake to be ap )lied subsequent to the 'dead to the device,

18. In an apparatus of the class described,

thecombination with a track, of a bag-re- "ceivin dev'ceslidabl mounted upon said O I I track, and clamping means carried by said device and adapted to engage said track: for

limiting or stopping movement of said device uporr' said track.

19." In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a track, of a bag-receiving device slidably mounted upon said.

track, means carried by said device for re tardmgshding movement thereof upon said track, and means for perm tting the device "to have a free sliding movement at the time aload is delivered thereto.

'20. In an a paratus of the class described, the combination with'a track, ot a slidable ried by said support, of a movable ba g-receiving device rovided with a bar, mounted upon said brac iet, said bar provlded with a beveled or notched portion, a supporting arm orbracket movably mounted upon said support and provided with an end or shoulder adapted'to engage the beveled or notched portion of the bar, and said bracket provided with an extension adapted to overhang a por tion of the bar and limit movement'of the bracket one direction upon the bar.

22. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a track, 'of a bag-receiving device slidably mounted upon said track, and said bag-receiving device provided with clamping means adapted to engage opposite ortions :of the track for retarding the sliding movement of the bagereceiving device.

23 In an apparatus of the classdescribed,

thecombination with a track, -of a load-receiving device slidably mounted 'upon said track, said load-receiving device provided with a brake slidably engaging the-track, and

said brake adapted tdclamp the track for retarding and eventuallystopping the sliding movement of the load-receivmg device. 24. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a.support,of arms piv otally mounted upon said support, a track secured to said arms, a load-receiving device movably mounted upon said track, and provided with means for clamping the track for limiting movement of said load-receiving device.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a movable track carried by said support, a load-receiving device adapted'to travel upon said track, said, load-receiving device providedwith an extension, means carried bysaid support and adapted to en a 'e the extension for holding the track and l vice in a set position, and said extension beingadapted to disengage said holding means when a load is delivered to said load-receiving device for releasing the tracl; and receiving-device and. permitting the track to 'fall to an inoperative position.

26-. In an'a paratus of the class described, the combination with a-su'pport, of a track arried by said support, a load-receiving device carried'by-said track and provided with vbrake-means-for limiting movement of the load-receiving device upon said track,-and

D cad-receiving de means carried by said track for varying the device provided with means for holdin tive to the position of the load receiving device upon t 1e track.

27. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, a track carried by said support, of a traveling load-receiving device carried by-said track, said device provided with a swinging hook, and said g said hook in one of a number of positions for receiving a load.

'28. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a bracket pivotally mounted uponsaid support, said bracket provided with a semi-circular body portion at one end and a series of lugs formed upon one side of said bracket and contiguous to said semi-circular body portion, and each lug provided. upon its upper face with a ringreceiving socketor pocket, and a, bag-supporting ring adapted to be seated in all of the sockets of the lugs.

v 29.. In an apparatusof the'class described, the combination with a support, of a track carried by said support, said track provided tion :1

with a sliding load-receiving device, said load-receiving device provided with a set-bar and a hook cooperating with said set-bar,

said set-bar adapted. to'be projected beyond one end, and means forengagmg the pro- ]Ct@(l end for holding the hook in a set position upon the device.

30. In an apparatus of the class described,

' the combination with a support, of a track carried by said support, a load-receivi1ig deviceslidaibly mounted upon track, said load-receiving device provided. with a clamp, .a bifurcated lever carried by said device, means positioned in the bifurcated portion of said lever and secured to said clamp, whereby when the lever is swung the posi 'i' the clamp is varied relative to the track. i

31. in an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, a track carried by said support, of load-receivinq means movably mounted upon said trac said load-receivin means provided with brakemeans, said load-receivin vmeans provided with manually-operated ever means con necting said lever to said brake means,

load is delivered to said load-receiving means.

In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a support, of a load-receiiving device carried by said support, said load-receiving device provided wit member having an extension or projection,

a'slid able I a pivotallfy-mounted load-receiving member carried bysaid device and having said extension projecting therethrough, whereby when said ivotally mounted member is adjusted, said cad-receiving memberwill be moved to a-set position upon said device. 7

34. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a track, of a load-re ceiving device slidably-n'iounted upon said track, a hook pivotally mounted upon said device, and means for holding said hook in a set position when said device is supported near one end ofsaid track.

In testimony whereof we hereun o aflix our signaturesin presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS ALLATT. LOUIS A. KERVV'IN.

' Witnesses: 

